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The Minnesota Star-Tribune reported the passing of former AWA and Mid-Atlantic star Bob Bruggers at the age of 80, PWInsider.com is sad to pass on.
A Minnesota native who played for six seasons with The National Football League, Bruggers transitioned into professional wrestling, where he was trained by Verne Gagne and Billy Robinson. Bruggers wrestled for the AWA, NWA Big Time in Texas (where he wrestled Roddy Piper numerous times) and Championship Wrestling from Florida and also toured Japan for IWE. Bruggers used a football tackle as his finisher to play off his NFL background.
Bruggers moved to Jim Crockett Promotions' Mid-Atlantic Wrestling in 1973. He and Paul Jones teamed regularly, including a run with the Tag Team titles during an era where the tag team division was the core of the territory. They defeated Gene and Ole Anderson for the belts in April 1974 before losing them in July of the same year to Rip Hawk and Ric Flair.
Bruggers' career ended prematurely in October 1975 when he was one of the passengers in the infamous plane crash alongside David Crockett, Johnny Valentine, Mr. Wrestling Tim Woods and Ric Flair. Bruggers suffered a broken ankle and numerous spinal injuries in the crash, but was able to leave the hospital several weeks later. Bruggers decided to end his wrestling career after the plane crash.
Bruggers would move to Florida and open a bar after his retirement.
PWInsider.com sends our deepest condolences to the family, friends and fans of Bob Bruggers.
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